03766 - Immunology (AK-B)

Course contents

The program topics are complemetary to those found at Prof. Stefano Salvioli' s  web site.

1. Integration of effector mechanisms of humoral immunity: the complement, its regulation and deficit.

2. Immunity against pathogens: extra and intra-cellular bacteria; virus and parasites. Integrated immune system responses against pathogens and their escaping strategies/mechanisms.

3. Vaccines and mandatory vaccination in Italy: different types and various strategies with risk evaluation.

4. Immunology of transplants: transplants classifications: auto-, allo- and xeno-transplants; biological bases of transplant rejection; different types of rejection; GVHD; strategies aimed at preventing rejection: HLA typization, immunosuppressive therapies

5. Immunopathology: alterations of the immune response; classification of immunopathologies; type I hypersensitivity: allergies; Type II, III and IV hypersensitivities; tolerance  and autoimmunity diseases with different mechanisms, i.e. type II, III, and IV.  

6. Congenital immunodeficiencies relate to innate and adaptive immune system. Acquired immunodeficiency with HIV: AIDS.

7. Immunosenescence: age-related changes of immune system, chronic low level inflammatory process with ageing or INFLAMMAGING, immune cell senescence and problems of vaccination in elderly people.

Readings/Bibliography

Books:

Parham, Il Sistema Immunitario, II ed., 2017, EdiSES s.r. l.

Abbas, Lichtman, Pillai, Immunologia Cellulare e Molecolare, 2018 (9th edition), Ed. Elsevier-Masson.

Janeway, Immunobiologia, 2012 (ottava edizione), Ed. Piccin, Padova.

Abbas, Lichman, Le basi dell'immunologia, 2011 (terza edizione aggiornata), Ed. Elsevier-Masson.

Teaching methods

Frontal classes with presentation in ppt and the use of some short-video

Assessment methods

Students will have access to the exam if they have attended at least 66% of the lessons.

The learning assessment is in written form and consists of two parts:

- the first part consists of two free-answer questions on themes of the Course. Every question can contribute to the final mark with 10 points out of 30. Insufficient answer (<6 out of 10) to one of these questions leads to test failure with no further evaluation of the second part.

- the second part consists of 40 quiz of the type "true-or-false" on themes of the Course. Every correct answer contributes with 3/10 points, every wrong answer leads to a penalty of -1/10. The total points available for this parts are 12.

Further information on exam evaluation can be be required during the first lesson of the Course.

Attention: a single exam mark will be registered for the Integrated Course by averaging the two marks of Immunology and Molecular Pathology.

The person in charge of the registration is the Responsible for the Integrated Course, Prof. Patrizia Nanni.

It is strongly suggested to obtain the marks for the two parts of the Integrated Course (immunology and Molecular Pathology) within one year.

Teaching tools

Teaching tools are slides projected in order to help students to recognise most important concepts and take home messages.

Links to further information

http://www.unibo.it/SitoWebDocente/default.aspx?UPN=miriam.capri%40unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Miriam Capri